Seamen’s Church Institute

The Seamen’s Church Institute of Philadelphia (SCI) has a mission of hospitality, serving without prejudice the human needs of seafarers in the ports of the Delaware River.

. . . We the crew of MV Tolni extend our heart felt thanks for the concern and help that you have extended to us, in this foreign land, this land of freedom as we believe, for the support and comfort that you share. You give us hope to move forward again to face another journey of our daily struggle—Excerpt from a letter of thanks to SCI

Read about the Thanksgiving Dinner aboard the Southampton Star

Seamen’s Church Institute:

• Provides practical, cross-cultural, and spiritual assistance to seafarers.
   

• Visits seafarers on their ships—a much-needed service in a post-9/11 world that keeps many crew members on their ships, unable to take any leave.
   

• Offers land transport, international telecommunications, social and recreational programs, and both work-related and personal counseling to those seafarers who may disembark.
   

• To learn more about the long history of the Seamen's Church Institute in caring for seafarers within the Port of Philadelphia, please click here.

When asked, “What exactly do you expect from an SCI volunteer,” I respond that there is no technical or legal knowledge required. The most important work of the volunteer is to offer friendship and Christian kindness to the seafarers with whom he or she meets, be attentive listeners to strangers and in many small ways to share God’s love.—The Rev. James Von Dreele, SCI’s Executive Director

Volunteer Opportunities

• Adopt-a-Ship Visits – St. Peter’s Church is in the process of “adopting” the crews of two refrigerated cargo ships that regularly dock in the Port of Philadelphia. Parishioners visit the ships, bringing home-baked food and Christian friendship to the seafarers. Click here to read more about St. Peter’s Adopt-a-Ship program.
     Time commitment: Visits take place approximately one Tuesday each month (weather permitting). Volunteer visitors gather at St. Peter’s Church at 4:15 pm and generally return by 9:00 pm.  Due to the unpredictable nature of weather as it affects ship travel, please call the church office (610-644-2261) by noon on the day of the visit to make sure that the ship visit will still occur.
     Skills required: None! However, ships are not handicap accessible. To remain safe, volunteers need agility to walk up the gangway and move on a ship’s deck. Comfortable clothing and walking shoes must be worn.
   

• Day/Night Hosts – Welcome seafarers to SCI’s Visitor Center on North Fifth Street (near Spring Garden Street) in Philadelphia and assist visitors as necessary.
     Time commitment: 4-hour shifts between 9:00 am and 10:00 pm, 7 days a week.
        Skills required: None!
   

• Drivers – Throughout the year, St. Peter’s collects clothing, toiletries, books, and magazines for the seafarers. These items need to be brought to SCI headquarters in Philadelphia.
     Time commitment: 2 to 3 hours once or twice a year.
        Skills required: None!
   

• Donations - SCI continues to need and appreciate clean used men's casual and 'dressy' clothing, warm jackets and caps, blankets, and "good books and magazines appropriate for seafarers." They can be deposited in the large sea chest located in the St. Peter's Parish Hall.

Contact Information
For more information about volunteering for Seamen’s Church Institute or to participate in our next Adopt-a-Ship Visit, please contact Lloyd Reynolds or at 610-889-0878.

Choose links to learn more about the ministry of Seamen’s Church Institute through their website; an article on SCI which appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer; or a detailed review of the volunteer effort that St. Peter's Church in the Great Valley has been generously offering.